At a glance the quick version
UKC and PetMD give 4-8 lb (about 1.8-3.6 kg) for the breed.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, silky single coat
A straight, fine, flowing coat with no undercoat that hangs close to the floor, usually parted down the back and often tied up on the head in a topknot. The tail is left natural and carried with a plume.21
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, devoted little companion that keeps a puppyish sense of fun for life. It loves company, is usually outgoing with visitors and, once socialised, gets along with children and other pets, though it will speak up about anything new.243
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Livelier than its size suggests, it is happy with daily walks plus play indoors.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The long coat needs brushing several times a week with a pin brush or metal comb, and regular baths keep it silky. Many owners opt for professional grooming or a shorter trim to save time.3
Home where they are happiest
Its small size and moderate exercise needs make it well suited to flats and smaller homes, as long as it gets daily walks and playtime.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete small-breed food; puppies are usually fed three to four times a day and adults twice a day, with portions set with a vet.3
Company who they like around
A people-focused dog that forms strong bonds and does best when it spends plenty of time with its family.21
The story where it all began
In 1984 two tricolour puppies appeared in Werner and Gertrude Biewer's Yorkshire Terrier kennel in Germany, and the couple built a new breed around the look. Americans began importing Biewers in the early 2000s, a US breed club formed in 2006, and after DNA work showed it was genetically distinct, the AKC granted full recognition in 2021.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
'Biewer' is said roughly like 'beaver', after the German couple who created the breed.1
- 2
The German singer Margot Eskens suggested adding 'a la Pom Pon' to the breed's original name.1
- 3
Its distinctive white patches come from a recessive piebald gene that surfaced in Yorkshire Terriers.1
- 4
The AKC describes it as a toy terrier that loves to carry its toys around.4
Recognised by the official bits
- AKC
- Toy Group; became the AKC's 197th recognised breed in 2021, after entering the Foundation Stock Service in 2014.1
- UKC
- Companion Dog Group; recognised 1 January 2016.2
- VDH (Germany)
- Accepted as of May 2024 (per Wikipedia).1
- FCI
- Not listed as an FCI breed in the sources consulted.1
Popularity Ranked 74th of AKC-registered breeds5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Biewer Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Biewer Terrier, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, AKC and VDH recognition, size, fun facts
- UKC Biewer Terrier breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, weight, coat, colours, temperament, history
- PetMD Biewer Terrier petmd.comused for lifespan, size, exercise, grooming, diet
- AKC Biewer Terrier breed page akc.orgused for temperament, traits
- AKC, The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.